CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4151, 10 July 1874, Page 3

CITY COUNCIL.

Thursday, July 9. The ordinary fortnighly meeting of the City Council was held yesterday afternoon in the Provincial Chambers. Present —The Mayor, Councillors Drausfield, Ramie, Burrett, Moss, Mills, McKirdie, and Greenfield. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation from the residents of Upper lugestre Street, waited upon the Council to urge that the road in that neighborhood might be improved and made passable. Councillor Moss moved that if the cost would not exceed £lO, the desired improvement should be proceeded until at once. Councillor Dransfield seconded the motion, which was carried. A deputation from a number of the residents of Tasman Street appeared to request that improvements might be made there, so as to enable them to obtain access to their allotments where the street was not formed. Councillor McKirdie thought that something should be done by the Council to give the residents of outlying localities, like the one in question, access to their land. They were paying rates, and were entitled to some expenditure in the neighborhood. Councillor Moss said he would rather see the matter stand over until next meeting, as he understood that Councillor Drausfield would table a notice of motion which would closely affect the question. The motion was to the effect that the whole of the streets not formed should be improved at once, and that the Council should borrow money to execute the work ; they had power to do so to five times the amount of rates received from the properties. Councillor Mills was very pleased to hear of this notice of motion. It was a matter he had long had in consideration ; he should have much pleasure in supporting the motion. Councillor McKibdy moved—“ That the improvement petitioned for should be executed at a cost not exceeding one hundred pounds.” Seconded by Councillor Greenfield, and carried.

TENDERS. Only one tender was received for supply of totara timber, and it was informal, the time for completion of contract asked being four months, whereas the advertisement calling for tenders required the contract to be completed in three months. It was decided that fresh tenders should be called for in a different form. CORRESPONDENCE. A quantity of outward correspondence was read and approved. WHARF EXTENSION. A letter was read from the Superintendent on this matter to the effect that the Executive had considered the matter, and that they had been advised from well-informed quarters that the land was very valuable, and that the best way to settle the matter would be to leave it to arbitration. The Mayor thought that nothing could be done until the next meeting of the Provincial Council. Councillor Mills : And in the meantime everything must go to the devil. It’s really too bad ! There -will be four or five English ships in shortly, and there will be no accommodation for them. Councillor Dransfield thought that they should insist on the Provincial Council doing something at once in the matter. The Mayor remarked that such talk sounded remarkably like “ blowing.” It was ridiculous to talk about insisting on tbe Provincial Council doing tbis that and the other. How could it be done ? Councillor Moss said that the Mayor’s remarks were of a Provincial Council tone, and not as if from a member of tbe Corporation. Councillor Dransfield wished to remark that the Mayor’s language was not at all pleasant; he did not use such terms as “blowing,” &c. It was time that sort of language was put a stop to and business done in a proper manner. Councillor Mills thought that it was too bad of tbe Provincial Government to so put off this matter. The wharfage accommodation was badly needed and complaints were being made on all sides. The Mayor thought it would be better to let the matter stand over for a time. Councillor Greenfield thought that if the Provincial Council would not make a grant of the ground for tbe purpose it was not the duty of the Corporation to provide increased wharf accommodation. Councillor Moss moved that the TownClerk he instructed to simply acknowledge receipt of the Superintendent’s letter. Carried. A letter was received asking that the Corporation would light a lamp that was about being erected outside the gate of St. Paul’s. After some little discussion the matter was left to the Lighting Committee, it being understood that one light should be given for tbe vicinity in the most useful place. ROAD TO LATENT SLIP. A letter was read from a resident in the above locality, pointing out its bad state, and asking that some improvement might be effected. Tbe City' Sury'EY'Oß explained that the place Yvas not Yvithin the province of the Council, but under tbe Harbor Master’s control. te aro reclamation. Councillor Dransfield asked Yvhat bad become of the Te Aro reclamation affair. The Surveyor explained that he would have the plans ready about tbe end of the rveek. WATER RATE. A considerable amount of discussion took place on this matter, and it was ultimately resolved, on the motion of Councillor McKirdy, seconded by Councillor Mills,—“That the accounts for the Yvater rate he sent out in thenpresent form.” ELECTION OF MAYOR. It Yvas understood, in reference to this matter, that a Bill was being drafted by Mr. Travers, and it was agreed to leave it to him, on the understanding that it should be entrusted to one of the members for Wellington to lay before the House. The meeting was then adjourned.